Defensive Depth Chart Still Taking Shape for Nebraska

Blackshirts will be issued early next week, Erik Chinander says after Tuesday’s practice

Contents

1. Coverage
2. Video
3. Video recaps
4. More info

There are decisions still to be made at some positions on defense as Nebraska football enters the final week of fall camp.

Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said it’s a good “problem” to have at the nickel spot, where Isaac Gifford, Chris Kolarevic and Javin Wright are battling for the top job.

“We’ve got the luxury right now of having some guys that can all go out there and be a starter,” said Chinander, speaking Tuesday after the Huskers’ 16th practice of preseason camp. “I think it’s a great problem to have because you have to have a good practice now or you don’t get to walk out there first.”

Devin Drew, the transfer defensive lineman from Texas Tech, is catching up quickly after arriving late to camp. “He’s dialed in, he’s operated well, and he’s going to compete for a chance to play. ... I expect him to take some reps in Dublin,” Chinander said.

As for the issuing of Blackshirts, Chinander said that won’t happen until shortly before or immediately after the Huskers fly to Dublin early next week for their Aug. 27 game against Northwestern.

Scroll down for more coverage of Tuesday’s session, which also included updates from assistant coaches Bill Busch and Mike Dawson. Refresh this page to see the latest additions. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Go here for the HuskerMax discussion.

Coverage

Non-paywall

• Husker247 | Quick Hits: Erik Chinander sees competition heating up on defense
• Husker247 | Buschini finding consistency in productive fall camp
• Husker247 | Here's why Tim Duncan comes up in Husker special teams meetings
• Husker247 | Fall Focus: Blaise Gunnerson
• Husker247 | Nickel back competition could carry into the season
• Husker247 | Husker edge defenders raising each other's games
• WOWT | How the Huskers used a wet morning to prepare for Ireland
• Nebraska Athletics | Chinander Comments on Defensive Depth

Omaha World-Herald*

• Practice report: Nebraska defense's depth chart is coming into better focus*
• Husker notes: Devin Drew already in mix for playing time; Blaise Gunnerson finally healthy*
• Nickelback Isaac Gifford hopes to follow JoJo Domann's footsteps*
• Aiming small has Nebraska punter Brian Buschini expecting big year*
• Tom Shatel: For Bill Busch, nothing means more than coaching at Nebraska*

More sources

• Hail Varsity* | Husker Defense Makes Progress in Scrimmage, Starting Nickel Still in Question
• Hail Varsity* | Special Teams Focused on Doing the Ordinary Extraordinarily
• Husker Defense Makes Progress in Scrimmage, Starting Nickel Still in Question - Nebraska Football - Hail Varsity
• Lincoln Journal Star* | Red Report: Feelin' like Dublin — Huskers use damp conditions to prep for season opener
• On3* | Tuesday nuggets: Chinander updates defensive progress as fall camp winds down
• On3* | Practice cliffs: Buschini finds groove in preseason camp; Chinander praises handful of NU's offensive weapons; and Drew set for action in Dublin
• On3* | Nebraska special teams get "great" chance to prepare for rainy Ireland weather

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Video

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Video recaps

• Hail Varsity | Sorensen & Keeler  
• Lincoln Journal Star | Just & Mullin
• Omaha World-Herald | McKewon & Shatel
• Husker247 | Christopherson & Bruntz
• On3 | Sipple & Peterson

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More info

• Fall camp schedule
• KLIN/HuskerMax reports
• Roster
• Media guide
• Game schedule

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